London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Car Hire Guide
Guide last reviewed: July 2026
Key Facts
- IATA code
- LHR
- Full address
- The Compass Centre, Nelson Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 2GW
- Phone
- 0344 335 1801
- Coordinates
- 51.47, -0.4543
Map
Purple Parking
Pre-book meet-and-greet or park-and-ride airport parking at UK airports, often cheaper than on-site car parks.
Find Purple Parking prices → Affiliate link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.History of London Heathrow Airport
Heathrow opened as "London Airport" on 25 March 1946, its first flight a converted Lancaster bomber to Buenos Aires. Renamed Heathrow in 1966, Terminal 1 opened in 1969, Concorde's first passenger flight departed in 1976, Terminal 4 opened in 1986, Heathrow Express launched in 1998, and Terminal 5 opened in 2008. Today it is the UK's largest and busiest airport, a major transatlantic and long-haul hub handling over 84 million passengers a year across four terminals.
Airlines Flying from London Heathrow
- British Airways
- Virgin Atlantic
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Lufthansa
- Air France
- Emirates
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- ANA
Popular Destinations from London Heathrow
- New York JFK
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Dubai
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Doha
- Miami
- Paris
- Amsterdam
- Frankfurt
- Rome
- Dublin
- Abu Dhabi
- Toronto
Car Hire Hints & Tips for London Heathrow
Tip
Rental centres sit outside the terminals along the Northern Perimeter Road rather than inside them - free shuttle buses run every 5-8 minutes from designated stops outside each terminal's arrivals hall (for example T5 stops 26-27, T2 stops 7-8), with a journey of roughly 5-10 minutes.
Tip
Allow extra time if you're departing from Terminal 5, since it's the furthest terminal from the rental village.
Tip
Ride-share and taxi pickups require entering the Authorised Vehicle Area (postcode TW6 2EQ), which is separate from the general drop-off area.
Short-Term Car Hire (Under 1 Month) at London Heathrow
These brands operate at or near London Heathrow Airport for traditional daily/weekly rental.
Green Motion
Our partner for short-term hire, with a growing hybrid and EV fleet.
Green Motion is an independent rental network with a strong focus on lower-emission, hybrid and electric vehicles, alongside standard petrol/diesel fleet, at competitive daily and weekly rates.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Avis
One of the largest global rental brands.
Avis is a long-established global rental brand with a wide vehicle range, from economy hatchbacks to vans and premium cars, and a large presence across UK airports.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Europcar
Strong one-way rental options across Europe.
Europcar is a major European rental brand, well suited to trips where you want to pick up at one UK airport and drop off at another, or continue into mainland Europe.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Enterprise
Known for customer service and competitive weekly rates.
Enterprise has a reputation for strong customer service and is frequently competitive on price for weekly hires, with a large UK-wide network including most airports.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Hertz
Global brand with premium and prestige options.
Hertz is a long-established global rental brand offering everything from economy cars to premium and prestige vehicles, with a presence at most major UK airports.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Sixt
Newer fleet, popular with business travellers.
Sixt is known for a newer fleet and premium/luxury vehicle options, and is a popular choice for business travellers hiring from UK airports.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Flexible Leasing & Subscriptions (1 Month+) for London Heathrow
If you need a car for longer, these providers deliver flexible leases and subscriptions to the London Heathrow area.
Cocoon Vehicles
Our Platinum Partner for flexible leasing, subscriptions and expat car leasing.
Cocoon Vehicles specialises in flexible car leasing and subscriptions from one month up to several years, with particular strength supporting expats and people returning to the UK who need a car quickly without a long UK credit or address history.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Flexigo Cars
Rolling monthly subscriptions with everything bundled in.
Flexigo Cars offers rolling monthly car subscriptions with insurance, maintenance and breakdown cover bundled into a single payment, aimed at drivers who want simplicity and flexibility over a traditional lease.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Short-Term-Leasing.co.uk (STCL)
Nationwide short-term vehicle leasing.
Short-Term-Leasing.co.uk (STCL) does what it says on the tin: nationwide short-term vehicle leasing, well suited to contractors, relocations and medium-term UK stays where a full multi-year lease doesn't make sense.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Sixt+
Sixt's own subscription-style product.
Sixt+ is Sixt's subscription-style product, offering flexible monthly terms on Sixt's newer fleet without the multi-year commitment of a full lease.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Greenmotion Flex
Green Motion's flexible subscription product.
Greenmotion Flex sits between traditional rental and a full lease, giving access to Green Motion's fleet - including hybrid and electric options - on a flexible subscription basis.
Affiliate/partner link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Holiday Extras
Book airport parking, hotels and airport lounges in advance and save versus turning up on the day.
Compare Holiday Extras deals → Affiliate link - we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I collect a rental car at London Heathrow Airport?
Rental centres sit outside the terminals along the Northern Perimeter Road rather than inside them - free shuttle buses run every 5-8 minutes from designated stops outside each terminal's arrivals hall (for example T5 stops 26-27, T2 stops 7-8), with a journey of roughly 5-10 minutes.
What's the phone number for London Heathrow Airport?
The main enquiries number is 0344 335 1801. This guide is independent and not affiliated with the airport operator, so for time-critical flight queries always check the airport's own website too.
Which airlines fly from London Heathrow Airport?
Carriers currently operating from London Heathrow include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Lufthansa, among others - see the full list below.